Robert Young, Ph.D., professor of marine science at Coastal Carolina University, has received the HTC Distinguished Teacher Scholar Lecturer Award, given annually to a faculty member who demonstrates outstanding teaching through scholarship and mentoring.

Young is director of CCU's Office of Undergraduate Research and state coordinator for the South Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Network, an organization charged with responding to marine animal strandings along the South Carolina coast.

As the winner of this award from Horry Telephone Cooperative, Young will present his project research, "The Ecology and Management of Bottlenose Dolphin Populations in the Carolinas," to the public in conjunction with CCU's Celebration of Inquiry academic conference on Monday, April 11.

College of Science Dean Michael Roberts says Young is a popular professor with students. "He is known as a caring teacher who works extremely hard to get his students academically and professionally prepared for the 'real world,'" said Roberts.

Young joined the CCU faculty in 1992. His research focus has been on marine mammals, coastal and estuarine fish, and marine education. He has been awarded more than $3.5 million for his research from such agencies as the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, North Carolina Sea Grant Consortium and others.

He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia in 1986 and a doctorate degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1993. He is a former president of the South Carolina Marine Educators Association.